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Tourists and locals kick off the summer (GALLERY)

Beach spots were few and far between Saturday behind The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.

NICK TOMECEK / Daily News

By LAUREN DELGADO / Daily News

Published: Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 04:49 PM.

Two-year-old David Stolz ran sand through his fingers Saturday morning and peered at the crowds around him from under his blue bucket hat.

His mother, Christy Stolz of Birmingham, Ala., was setting up their beach spot behind The Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island on Saturday morning, remembering when David didn’t want to put his feet on the sand last year.

“This year, we’re hoping he plays a bit more,” Christy said.

The Stolz family were among many vacationers and locals making memories on the Emerald Coast this Memorial Day weekend.

Motorists slowly made their way to the beaches, as cars lined the side of U.S. Highway 98 near the accesses on Okaloosa Island.

Cathy Moone of Montgomery, Ala., and her family visit the area five to six times a year.

“It’s more of a family beach,” Moone said on the beach behind The Boardwalk.

She expected a bigger crowd, and hoped her 13-year-old son would make some friends.

“I think (tourists) are all fishing from the look of Wal-Mart last night," Moone said with a laugh.

For some locals, their beach days are numbered as the crowds grow during the summer. Derek Bussard of Crestview said he and his family probably wouldn’t be back regularly until the end of August.

Locals learn to adapt, he said.

“This is why we put a pool in our yard,” Bussard said as he scanned the crowd on Okaloosa Island.

Hundreds of boats dotted the green and blue water on either side of the Marler Bridge in Destin.

Petty Officer Jeff Mitchell at Coast Guard Station Destin said there had been three minor vessel collisions earlier Saturday.

The number of boaters has definitely increased compared to past years, Executive Petty Officer Jason King said. With other law enforcement agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission patrolling the waters, the Coast Guard is focused more on being visible than increasing its patrols, he said.

Boaters need to drink responsibly, ensure they have proper floatation devices for their children, and tell someone if they plan to boat at night, King said.

“Be smart and be considerate with the alcohol, and be considerate of the fact you have to go somewhere later,” he said.

Business was starting to pick up for local merchants Saturday, although most expected to be overrun with vacationers later that night and Sunday.

Dawn Ledford, manager at Harry T’s at HarborWalk Village in Destin, said about 1,000 covers were sold Friday night, and she expected more than 1,200 Saturday night.

Tour slots at Destin Snorkel were beginning to fill Saturday, and several Sunday tours already were sold out, said Val Costley, one of the owners.

They spent weeks preparing for the start of tourist season to make sure they had enough employees and that all the equipment and boats were shipshape.

“The staff is all excited,” Costley said. “We’re ready to go. We’re ready to get people wet.”

Some local hotels and bed and breakfasts were completely full and turning people away. In addition to handling vacationers, Highlands House in Santa Rosa Beach was organizing three weddings over the weekend, said Marc Russack, one of the owners.

“We could use another three of us right now,” Russack said.

This weekend is the beginning of summer for many people, Russack said. Kids are starting their summer vacation and parents are looking for quality family time.

“Memorial Day Weekend is a big weekend. People want to get out here and enjoy the area. They’re looking for something special.”

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Two-year-old David Stolz ran sand through his fingers Saturday morning and peered at the crowds around him from under his blue bucket hat.

His mother, Christy Stolz of Birmingham, Ala., was setting up their beach spot behind The Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island on Saturday morning, remembering when David didn’t want to put his feet on the sand last year.

“This year, we’re hoping he plays a bit more,” Christy said.

The Stolz family were among many vacationers and locals making memories on the Emerald Coast this Memorial Day weekend.

Motorists slowly made their way to the beaches, as cars lined the side of U.S. Highway 98 near the accesses on Okaloosa Island.

Cathy Moone of Montgomery, Ala., and her family visit the area five to six times a year.

“It’s more of a family beach,” Moone said on the beach behind The Boardwalk.

She expected a bigger crowd, and hoped her 13-year-old son would make some friends.

“I think (tourists) are all fishing from the look of Wal-Mart last night," Moone said with a laugh.

For some locals, their beach days are numbered as the crowds grow during the summer. Derek Bussard of Crestview said he and his family probably wouldn’t be back regularly until the end of August.

Locals learn to adapt, he said.

“This is why we put a pool in our yard,” Bussard said as he scanned the crowd on Okaloosa Island.

Hundreds of boats dotted the green and blue water on either side of the Marler Bridge in Destin.

Petty Officer Jeff Mitchell at Coast Guard Station Destin said there had been three minor vessel collisions earlier Saturday.

The number of boaters has definitely increased compared to past years, Executive Petty Officer Jason King said. With other law enforcement agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission patrolling the waters, the Coast Guard is focused more on being visible than increasing its patrols, he said.

Boaters need to drink responsibly, ensure they have proper floatation devices for their children, and tell someone if they plan to boat at night, King said.

“Be smart and be considerate with the alcohol, and be considerate of the fact you have to go somewhere later,” he said.

Business was starting to pick up for local merchants Saturday, although most expected to be overrun with vacationers later that night and Sunday.

Dawn Ledford, manager at Harry T’s at HarborWalk Village in Destin, said about 1,000 covers were sold Friday night, and she expected more than 1,200 Saturday night.

Tour slots at Destin Snorkel were beginning to fill Saturday, and several Sunday tours already were sold out, said Val Costley, one of the owners.

They spent weeks preparing for the start of tourist season to make sure they had enough employees and that all the equipment and boats were shipshape.

“The staff is all excited,” Costley said. “We’re ready to go. We’re ready to get people wet.”

Some local hotels and bed and breakfasts were completely full and turning people away. In addition to handling vacationers, Highlands House in Santa Rosa Beach was organizing three weddings over the weekend, said Marc Russack, one of the owners.

“We could use another three of us right now,” Russack said.

This weekend is the beginning of summer for many people, Russack said. Kids are starting their summer vacation and parents are looking for quality family time.

“Memorial Day Weekend is a big weekend. People want to get out here and enjoy the area. They’re looking for something special.”